Chief, Country Business Strategies Section, P5

Org. Setting and Reporting

In its Resolution A/RES/72/279, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the transformation of the Development Operations Coordination Office (DCO) as a stand-alone coordination office within the United Nations Secretariat.

The new DCO assumes managerial and oversight functions of the Resident Coordinator system under the collective ownership of the members of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG).

The Country Business Strategies team (CBSS) located within the Business Management Branch of DCO, serves as the secretariat to the UNSDG Business Innovation Group (BIG), which leads the work on advancing system-wide efficiencies.

The main goal of this position is to ensure effective support by DCO to the BIG in operationalizing the system-wide Efficiency Roadmap, which guides the UNSDG to deliver on the requests outlined in the General Assembly resolutions and the Secretary General report.

The current roadmap includes the following workstreams:

• Business Operations Strategy (BOS): To support UN entities with BOS implementation, to deliver regular updates on the projected cost savings, and standardize and scale the highest-impact services between 2021 and 2024.

Global Shared Services:
To fast-track the implementation of services identified in the Roadmap for scale-up by the UN system

• Common Back Office (CBO): Establish Common Back Offices for the 50 largest non-crisis UN country teams

Common Premises:
Expand Common Premises in the 66 highest cost locations.

A new roadmap beyond 2024, which will include updated targets and ways of working, will be prepared by the BIG in the second half of 2024.

The position is located at the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO) Headquarters in New York and reports to the Chief Business Management Branch.

Responsibilities

I. Programme strategy, development, and implementation

• Provides advisory and secretariat support to the Co-Chairs of the Business Innovations Group, and relevant subsidiary bodies.
• Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the section under his/her responsibility. Co-ordinates the work carried out by the different units under the section; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the drafts prepared by others.
• Co-ordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to committees and intergovernmental bodies.
• Leads and supervises the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. Manages the substantive preparation and organization of such meetings or seminars.
• Directs resources to enable UNDCO to deliver effective support to operationalize the UNSDG Efficiency Roadmap and in improving and optimizing UN internal business process transformation with the aim of accelerating efficiency and cost effectiveness.
• Guides coordinated and timely support to the BIG in each work-stream, drawing attention to strategic issues and opportunities as required and ensuring coordination across different task teams.
• Alerts the Chief, Business Management Branch, and UNDCO senior management on implications and leadership of the Resident Coordinator (RC) system on advancing system-wide efficiencies and engages with relevant DCO managers and RCs to enable effective implementation.
• Ensures consistency of conceptual strategy development and management of the implementation of overall strategies in line with agency / departmental policies and procedures, including implications for the RC system in line with UN Secretariat requirements.
• Enables quality support to the United Nations Country Teams (UNCT) through support to the BIG for formulation and implementation of guidance and monitoring on BOS, Global shared Services and Common Back Offices implementation.
• Ensures well-functioning and responsive data systems to monitor and report on UN development system business operations, enabling accurate and timely data through relevant platforms such as UN INFO, as well as platforms supporting the BOS, CBO and Common Premises.
• Engages in UN-wide processes to improve innovative approaches on harmonization, optimisation, and consolidation set by business private sectors. II. Communications and reporting
• Prepares regular, strategic updates for the UNSDG Chair and Principals on progress and challenges on implementation of the Efficiency Roadmap, identifying key actions to be taken.
• Enables effective DCO support for specific initiatives and related consultations.
• Serves as an effective spokesperson and establishes collaboration and partnerships with senior officials inside and outside the Organization. Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to government officials, external consultants and other parties, as appropriate.
• Represents the Organization at inter-agency meetings and seminars, providing programmatic and substantive expertise relating to business efficiencies and harmonisation.
• Provides substantive input in the preparation of position papers and ensures high-quality reporting for the annual report of the Secretary-General on QCPR implementation, including the processes of collection of data from UNSDG entities on the various efficiency agenda workstreams. III. Management
• Leads the DCO Country Business Strategies section, including its work-planning, budgeting, financial and human resource management, promoting teambuilding and ensuring a professionally rewarding working environment for staf., ensuring effective coordination and collaboration with other sections of the Business Management Branch.
• Ensures that progress reports and briefings are provided internally as well as to the BIG and relevant task teams, and provides key inputs to Senior Management and UNSDG deliberations on improvements going forward.
• Reviews and reorients the work programme and workplan as necessary to respond to evolving needs stemming from relevant BIG and DCO SMT decisions and field offices exigencies, in lines with new priorities and feedback.
• Identifies and implements measures that support sound project planning and implementation.
• Defines and adopts measure that ensure monitoring of progress and reporting on achievements and results. Monitors and controls programme and project budgeting and expenditures, including from possible external funds and counterpart contributions.
• Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM:

Expert knowledge in programme development, administration, and management in the UN System, including supporting administrative disciplines in budget, finance, human resources, logistics and communications technology systems, procurement, and facility management.

Demonstrated ability to provide seasoned, effective, and specialized advice to Senior Management concerning the various areas of responsibilities cited and to coordinate and review the work of others.

Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.

Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

PLANNING AND ORGANIZING:
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently

ACCOUNTABILITY:
Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable

VISION:
Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities

MANAGING PERFORMANCE:

Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, social science, or related area.

A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of working experience in progressively responsible positions, in programme development, administration, and management for the UN System or for International Organizations, is required.

These include supporting administrative disciplines in budget, human resources, finance, logistics and communications technology systems, procurement and facility management.

A minimum of five years of experience in managing the provision of operational support to development cooperation in UN system or similar international organizations, at the country, regional and global levels, is required.

At least five years of demonstrated experience with business consolidation arrangements such as common services, cost sharing, service delivery and service level management is desirable.

Experience with developing strategies for development cooperation, with designing and delivering of frameworks and services for UN inter-agency or interorganizational collaboration is desirable.

Experience in leading and funding projects in business operational transformation and innovative solutions in emergency and development cooperation contexts is desirable.

Experience in managing large multicultural teams at country, regional or global levels is desirable. Experience in initiating and promoting collaborative approaches undertaken by geographically and culturally disparate partners is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required.

Knowledge of a second official United Nations language is an advantage." "Fluency equals a rating of "Fluent" in all four areas (read, speak, write and understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "Confident" in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment against this post is temporarily available for six (6) months and may be subject to extension, subject to legislative body funding availability.

If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her.

In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Internal Applicants:

When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date.

This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.

All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect.

The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.

Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening.

Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.

If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received.

In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

NOTE:

While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.

Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.

The term "sexual exploitation" means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.

The term "sexual abuse" means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

The term "sexual harassment" means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator's working relationship.

Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs.

The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c).

Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.

This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions.

Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on "Manuals" in the "Help" tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines.

Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening.

No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted.

Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING).

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.

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